Cryptic crossword clue
Collars thugs in the audience 5

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word RUFFS

R
U
F
F
S

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Collars" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case collars = ruffs.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does RUFFS mean?

RUFFS noun
  1. A circular frill or ruffle on a garment, especially a starched, fluted frill at the neck in Elizabethan and Jacobean England (1560s–1620s).
  2. Anything formed with plaits or flutings like a frill.
  3. Senses relating to animals.
  4. A collar on a shaft or other piece to prevent endwise motion.
  5. An exhibition of haughtiness or pride.
  6. Tumultuous or wanton conduct or procedure.
RUFFS verb
  1. To shape (fabric, etc.) into a ruff; to adorn (a garment, etc.) with a ruff.
  2. Of a falcon, hawk, etc.: to hit (the prey) without fixing or grabbing hold of it.
  3. To ruffle; to disorder.
  4. Of a bird: to ruffle its feathers.
  5. To boast, to brag.
  6. To speak in a loud and domineering manner; to bluster, to swagger.
RUFFS noun
  1. Arripis georgianus, a fish found in cool waters off the southern coast of Australia; the Australian herring or tommy ruff.
  2. A bottom-dwelling carnivorous fish of the family Sparidae found in temperate and tropical waters; a porgy or sea bream.
RUFFS noun
  1. An instance of ruffing, or an opportunity to ruff, when unable to follow suit.
  2. A game similar to whist and its predecessor.
RUFFS verb
  1. To play a trump card to a trick when unable to follow suit (that is, to play a card of the same suit as the previous or leading card).
  2. Especially in the form ruff out: to defeat (a card, etc.) by ruffing, thus establishing the master card in the suit led.
RUFFS noun
  1. A low, vibrating beat of a drum, quieter than a roll; a ruffle.
RUFFS verb
  1. To beat a ruff or ruffle, as on a drum.
  2. Of a drum, etc.: to have a ruff or ruffle beaten on it.
RUFFS noun
  1. Gymnocephalus cernua, a small Eurasian freshwater fish.
  2. Other species in the same genus.

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